Hunting for Diamonds in the Rough

When Sarah Taylor, a 27-year-old law graduate from London, received an engagement ring, she was more than a little shocked, and not only because her boyfriend proposed on a railway platform in northern Scotland on a rainy Monday morning in March.

"It was black -- a band of tiny black diamonds, set in black gold," Ms. Taylor said. "When I finally managed to compose myself and look at the ring, it was exquisite."

Her 30-year-old fiancé, Paul Williams, a teacher, wanted to buy something different, so he opted for a black diamond. "Why go for bog-standard solitaire?" he said. "I wanted something out of the ordinary."

Mr. Williams turned out to be remarkably in touch. Tired of the garish bling that has come to epitomize Champagne-popping yacht hoppers, many shoppers are seeking out more original types of diamonds, with rough cuts or alternative hues -- and black diamonds have become a particularly popular choice. Apart from their own distinctive qualities, alternative diamonds are also a better credit-crunch choice: Both rough diamonds and treated, colored diamonds are cheaper than their polished counterparts.

London-based jeweler Ming Lampson, who makes exquisite heirloom-quality pieces for her clients, has noticed a real surge in interest in black diamonds. "In the last three months alone I've made four or five black diamond engagement rings," she said, adding that there is a hunger for unusual stones at the moment. "In the '90s everything used to be white diamond and white metal. Now people are becoming more adventurous."

Ms. Lampson said she likes using black diamonds because they reflect the light in a special way, flashing in a bright white. "If you see someone wearing a black diamond necklace, it catches your eye from the other side of the room," she said. "Unlike a white diamond, there are no rainbows, no internal reflection. They possess this very special opaqueness."

Hollywood also has given black diamonds a boost. Sarah Jessica Parker donned a black diamond strand necklace by American jeweler Itay Malkin in the "Sex and the City" movie, and Adrian Grenier sported a similar one in this season's finale of the TV show "Entourage." At the Baselworld jewelery fair in March -- a barometer of what's going to be hot in the coming year -- the pairing of black and white diamonds was one of the strongest trends. According to its organizers, the show featured a lot of "unpretentious jewelery" -- pieces that didn't draw attention to the wearer and could be worn every day, such as those with dark or rough stones.

Cult Mayfair-based jeweler Stephen Webster, whose neo-gothic crab rings, poison-ivy necklaces and knuckle dusters are worn by gothic-inclined celebrities, fashionistas and socialites, sees the shift in trend as part of a cultural zeitgeist. "Black diamonds are about dark glamour, which is perfect for today," Mr. Webster says. "There is a huge craze for the romantic, grown-up goth, symbolized by interest in [vampire TV] programs like 'True Blood.' I think this look has become quite seductive." Mr. Websters says that one of his clients -- a Russian art collector -- has commissioned him to make a £20,000 vampire ring that will include black diamonds. Mr. Webster added that black diamonds have captured another, previously untapped audience: "Earlier this year I made a bespoke black diamond tie-bar for Mickey Rourke, and Russell Brand is a real fan of our black-diamond pieces. Men are going mad for them -- it's the acceptable non-bling way to wear jewelery."

Black diamonds have a storied history. In medieval Italy, they were known as the "stones of reconciliation." A wave of a black diamond in the face of an unhappy spouse would, according to legend, clear things up. The Duke of Wellington admired them for their opaque beauty and reportedly owned a black diamond weighing 12.25 carats. One of the largest black diamonds in the world today -- the Spirit of de Grisogono -- comes in at a whopping 312 carats.

These show-stoppers are genuine black diamonds, which acquire their gloomy hue naturally because they have high concentrations of dark crystals, such as sulphides. Manufacturers also can treat diamonds to make them black. Modern processes have allowed them to enhance and change the color of poor-quality, muddy diamonds -- which would never be sold in their natural state -- in a laboratory, using radiation or heating. Both natural and treated black diamonds are much cheaper than your run-of-the-mill diamond. Whereas a one-carat white diamond can range from £3,000 to £8,000, a natural black diamond costs £250-£450 a carat, and treated black diamonds start at only £80-£120 a carat. Diamonds treated to become colors other than black cost from £500 to £2,000 a carat. (The real thing will cost you a small fortune -- "fancy color" natural diamonds, such as red, blue and yellow, are the most expensive in the world).

Rough diamonds are also becoming stylish. In keeping with more austere times, these natural stones are admired for their raw, organic quality. Worn by royals hundreds of year ago, before polishing techniques were mastered, they are enjoying a revival as people look to adorn themselves with less ostentatious, subtler rocks.

London jeweler Leonardo Pieroni has been using rough diamonds for more than 20 years. His beautiful, simple designs -- a gold band with a single stone is one of his signature styles -- are a way to own diamonds without breaking the bank. A four-carat rough diamond gold ring, for example, fetches £3,200 -- much cheaper than a polished rock of the same size, which would go for £10,500 to £250,000, depending on its quality.

Recently, however, rough diamonds have started to go luxe too. De Beers's Talisman collection, which is based on rough diamonds and features beautiful, rustic-style medallions, pendants and rings, is definitely not a budget option: A pair of yellow gold earrings containing 7.41 carats of rough and polished stones costs £16,500.

Another leader in rough-luxe diamond jewelery is American company Diamond in the Rough. Started four years ago by New York-based Anjanette Clisura and Daniel Eskapa, who felt there was something missing in the market, the company now sells its jewelry around the world. "I think that rough is so appealing because you get to see the stone exactly how nature has formed it," said Ms. Clisura, who became interested in rough gems over 10 years ago, when she was working for diamond miner Leviev. "So many years of heat, pressure and natural gasses have turned carbon into this amazing stone with all its natural crystal shapes. It has a perfect raw beauty."

Diamond in the Rough sells its jewelry at the Moussaieff stores in London and Geneva, with prices starting at £6,000 for a ring with a sizable rough diamond. Many pieces include smaller, polished diamonds as well. "There is a craze for everything that is natural these days, and these are something different, a conversation piece," said Alisa Moussaieff, Moussaieff's managing director and owner.

What's next for jewelery? Baselworld featured an array of purple-hued jewelery made from stones like agate and amethyst. In the U.K., Mayfair jeweler Mr. Webster says people are already searching for something edgier. "I've had huge demand for gray diamonds recently," he said. "They're definitely going to be the new black."

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Getting the Perfect Gemstone Bracelets

A bracelet is being worn not only by women but also by men, it is a type of jewelry that being worn on the hand. If you look into it, you will find that there are lots of bracelets kinds in the market, you can find charm bracelets, beaded bracelets, gold bracelets, silver bracelets, pearl bracelets, bangles and many others.

If you want to have a look of individuality and uniqueness, you can have gemstone bracelets. If you want to go with style and exceptionable, a gemstone bracelet would be a perfect choice. Gemstone bracelets come with different finishes and styles, you can pick the gemstone you like, you can get Tanzanite, Amethyst, Jasper, Rose Quartz, Turquoise, and Moonstone. The styles of the bracelets come with huge variation; you can get large glitzy bangles and thin chain bracelets.

The gemstones come with rich natural colors which can add a great look into the bracelet. You can find also with different shapes and come with different designs such as beaded, in silver and gold designs. If a chain has beads on it or it made out of silver and gold plus added with a unique gemstone, indeed, the bracelet will look elegant and exceptional.

Having a gemstone can make an excellent effect to the bracelet. With the fact that there are lots of gemstones to choose from, you can at least pick the right gemstone bracelet for you or for a loved one. One of the gemstones is Tanzanite - its color is deep blue. Amethyst is pale mauve to deep purple in color, Turquoise color is yellow-blue, Jade colors range from dark green to yellow, Rose Quartz is color pink.

With any occasion or functions, men and women can wear gemstone bracelets for them to have impressive look. If you are seeking for this kind of bracelet, you find that it comes with different made, it can be with diamonds, sterling silver, gold, pearl bracelets, chain bracelets, and charm bracelets, which mean you have lots to choose from. These bracelets also come with different prices. Indeed, gemstone bracelets can give anyone an elegant and attractive look.

If you want to get a bracelet for yourself, you can pick the design style, and color that pleases you in order for you to come up with an elegant you. If you wish to get one for a loved one, then you have to pick a gemstone bracelet that will match the personality of the person. Each of the material being used to create a gemstone bracelet is unique, so you have to pick the design and color that your loved one would adore. Since you know the person so well, you know her/his likes and dislikes, so it is not so hard to make a choice.

Using the internet would be the best resource in finding lots of different bracelets to choose from, but of course, you must go with a reliable website that can provide you with quality items. If you want to get that perfect bracelet, start searching now.

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Have You Got the Right Jewelry?

Summer might be a contradictory season. Women show both love and hate for it. The burning sunshine will damage their skin, but it is the best time for them to display their distinctive glamour and obtain many compliments since even the common things, Mini-skirts, braces skirts, jewelry, or lacy white sandals, have profound power in making them be the focus of the public.

Today let's just talk something about jewelry: how to let jewelry reveal dramatic power in summer.

First earrings

Small as earrings, they, however, give off unimaginable power. The key is how to choose properly. The style of earrings is related to one's face shape. People with triangular face are not suitable to wear long earrings with pendants while earrings in round shape can offer a sense of coordination. If you have an oval face, you can wear earrings in any style. Please never try too long, too small or too big ones. Round-faced people should avoid wearing small or oblate earrings, which can make face look longer. If you have a slim figure, you can wear small earrings with delicate design.

Second necklaces

Above all, you have to find out what kind of neck you have. Short necklace with wide side and several circles are absolutely not suitable for people having dumpy necks who are more suitable to wear longer and thinner necklace with a pendent so as to make the neck look slender.

As for people with thin and long neck, the short and broad-rimmed necklace is the best choice. Besides, the necklace with medium length goes well with oval shaped face, showing graceful facial outline. In summer, most women wear open-neck collar, which makes their neck clearly to be seen. Well designed necklaces, such as Tiffany latest key series can function well as a way to add beauty and charm.

Third bracelets In addition to necklaces and earrings, bracelets are also indispensable jewel to show in summer. More important, you can wear bracelets without considering your age or identity. But you should and have to take the shape of your arm and wrist into consideration. If your wrist is thin, you can choose bracelet with a bit wide rim. But if your wrist is a bit round, you can take the opposite choice, the slim one. Young ladies can try to wear two or three narrow-rimmed bracelets together. And if you want to impress others as decent, intelligent, and fashionable, you can try some designer bracelets, for example links of London bracelets with classic, elegant or delicate style.

Undoubtedly, there are many other kinds of jewelry. But anyway one principle has to be kept: choose the one that you like and is most suitable for you. Hope all of you can find your sound jewelry and keep to be the most eye-catching one. Have better suggestions? Speak them out!

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Diamond Rings - How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Ring

Planning a wedding is an exciting time for couples. There's choosing the dress, deciding where to have the ceremony and reception, and choosing the perfect wedding bands. The wedding bands are lifelong symbols of a couple's love and devotion so it's a good idea to make sure you know what to look for before shopping. Knowing your options will make it easier to find perfect diamond wedding rings, no matter what you're looking for.

Metal Choices

Platinum is one of the most popular metal choices for all jewelry, including diamond rings. But, this isn't the only metal couples can choose from. Other popular metals include palladium and 14K or 18K white or yellow gold.

Because men are typically rougher on their jewelry, many men's wedding bands are available in stronger materials. Some of these materials include stainless steel and tungsten. If you're someone who works with your hands often, it may be a good idea to consider one of these sturdier materials.

Special Finishes And Fits

Wedding bands are the pieces of jewelry worn most often so it's important to find one that is comfortable. This is especially important for men, since most men aren't used to wearing jewelry. Luckily, many jewelers offer comfort fit wedding bands. These bands have special rounded inside edges so they're more comfortable and easy to get used to wearing. After wearing one for a couple of weeks, you'll forget you have it on and it will even feel strange when you take it off.

Couples can choose from a variety of finishes, depending on personal style and taste. Some of the most popular finishes are hammered, satin, and Florentine.

A hammered finish is one that looks like it has been pounded on with a hammer. The finish is textured and multifaceted. The look is unique and was once considered one of a kind, though these days most hammering is now done by a machine.

A satin finish is a semi-glossy finish. This is achieved when the jewelry is scored with tiny, shallow parallel lines on the metal. This reduces the metal's natural shine and gives it a beautiful semi-glossy finish somewhere between a matte and shiny surface.

A Florentine finish is achieved by intersecting sets of parallel lines scratched into the metal. This creates a textured surface with deeper cuts than in a satin finish.

Matching An Engagement Ring

Many couples choose to match diamond wedding rings to the bride's engagement ring. The engagement ring is usually the first piece of wedding jewelry a couple purchases and many diamond rings have coordinating wedding bands to make it easy to match.

Couples can match these jewelry pieces in a variety of ways. They can choose to match just the bride's diamond rings since those two are usually worn together or they can match the bride's diamond rings with the groom's band. If the wedding bands have diamonds, they can match the cut of the diamond in the engagement ring to the cut of diamond wedding rings. Or they can just choose to coordinate the metals of the engagement ring and the two diamond wedding rings. There are no rules, couples should only worry about choosing a set they love.

Some actually come sold as a set with all three pieces to make it easy to find matching pieces. Others allow the couple to purchase each piece separately, so that they can be sure to find exactly what they're looking for. Buying coordinating pieces separately means the couple can actually choose certified loose diamonds and their own setting of engagement ring if they want to.

Choosing A Special Inscription

Inscribing your diamond wedding rings with a special saying or expression is a perfect way to personalize your love. Couples may choose to inscribe their wedding bands with something as simple as the date of their wedding or their initials. Still others choose to inscribe a meaningful phrase or split up the phrase between the two wedding bands. No matter what you choose, make sure to take your jewelry to an experienced engraver - you don't want to trust just anyone with your jewelry.

Diamond wedding rings used to be reserved for a special anniversary or an upgrade for an older wedding set. More and more couples are choosing to add diamonds to their wedding rings initially instead of replacing a plain band later on. If you do choose a band with diamonds, decide on your metal and finish, if you want to match the bride's engagement ring, and then if you want to engrave the inside with a special message. Once you know what you're looking for, choosing your wedding bands will be fun and easy!

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Diamonds, the New Solid Investment

Colorless Diamonds are not just for luxury fashion these days. With the stock market on a daily roller coaster and the banking industries restructuring of credit, where do we safely invest our money? Diamonds are becoming the most desirable investment due to their increases in pricing. According to Bloomberg News, "Diamonds, like art, are a commodity gaining attention as an alternative investment."

Mining goes on a continual basis, true. Unfortunately, there is going to come a time when there are no more. They are becoming rare as of lately, where colored diamonds are being sought after to re-place the colorless diamond scarcity. When there is so much unrest in most financial institutions, the wealthy look to acquire tangible items; the safety factor takes precedence. The commodity asset-management firm Diapason Commodities Management, listed a specialist investment fund; Diamond Circle Capital. Diamond Circle is the first publicly listed investment fund to invest in colored and colorless diamonds. The start up was 400 million in 2007. The fund now is through the roof.

Diamonds hold there value and are a tangible item, which keeps the investor protected. The market fluctuation on diamonds is determined by there rarity. There has been a lack of production over the past two years, do to the global economic situation. Worldwide polished diamonds prices have finally now have begun to rise. The climate is changing and now is the time to buy. Investing these days is tricky; sticking to a tangible item known for its value is safe! When doing your purchasing, dealing with your local jeweler, someone you know and trust would be the right way to go.

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Diamond Buying Tips

Many people do not know what they are looking for when they set out to buy a piece of diamond jewelry, especially if it is their first time buying an engagement ring or a present for a loved one. It can be an overwhelming and intimidating process, going into retailers, looking at all of the different, delicate, expensive pieces. You've probably braced yourself to pay more than you want to, but you would like to avoid paying too much. The first thing is to remember not to buy a diamond simply because it looks like it costs much less than the other pieces in the store.

Just because it's a diamond doesn't mean it's valuable. In fact, much of the diamond's value simply comes from the demand and mystique associated with it. There are several extremely low-quality pieces of diamond jewelry that are advertised for twenty bucks and worth less than five. Similarly, just because something is advertised as "on sale," doesn't mean that it's the best price or the best diamond piece out there. Best value diamonds have an essential jewelry combination of quality and price, both of which should have equal influence in your decision.

If the person you are buying the jewelry for has absolutely fallen in love with a piece that you and your family most certainly cannot afford, be firm. As the salesperson if there are any other pieces like it or research online, but don't spend money you don't have and can't get over a piece of jewelry. Be an intelligent shopper. There are hundreds of millions of beautiful pieces of diamond jewelry in the world, the one expensive one that appeals most at the time is neither the best nor the only on out there. You can keep it in mind as something to save up for, but practice discretion.

Just because the store has a certificate for a certain loose diamond or piece of jewelry doesn't necessarily mean that it is high quality. Many official reports on a gemstone are written in such a way that only professional gemologists and dedicated gem collectors can understand what they mean. The certificate being presented to you can say that the diamond is the poorest quality that a diamond can be, or it can say that it is a beautiful example to diamonds everywhere. You wouldn't know though.

If you are trying to buy a piece of jewelry made with a non conflict diamond, keep in mind that while the diamond certificate is an extremely good indication as to the cleanliness, it is possible to bypass and forge such documents. The certificate is as much of a guarantee as you can get, but shipments of blood diamonds sometime slip into the shipments of non conflict diamonds. In addition, while the 4 C's (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight) are widely known and highly marketed, they are only a fraction of the variables that go into consideration when a diamond is being rated.

Do not have the 4 C's be the deciding factor in your diamond purchase. When you are looking at the cut of the diamond, keep in mind that it should not be too shallow or too deep. The perfect diamond will be able to reflect all of the light that it is exposed to. Diamonds with a heavier carat weight are more expensive than those with a lighter weight, but you do not want to buy a diamond that is too low quality. GIA diamond rings and other diamond jewelry are generally a safe bet, but you should be sure that you understand the certification.

Clearer diamonds are also more expensive, since they are the most attractive and light travels through them better than a slightly cloudier diamond. Color is determined on a letter scale. Diamonds rated between D and F are considered to be colorless, between G and J is close to colorless, but not quite. Diamonds that are between K and N have slightly yellowish hues. T and Z are light yellow. This is because yellow is the most common color found in diamonds. Many diamonds that appear to be colorless actually have a slight yellow tint. "Fancy" colors, which are not slightly yellow, can include vivid yellows, blues, and pinks.
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An Engagement Ring Buying Guide For the Groom

Buying an engagement ring as a surprise can really add to the impact when popping the question. However, there is a little more to the perfect engagement ring than a quick visit to the local jewelry store. Read on for an engagement ring buying guide for the groom to be.

Set A Budget.

One of the most important aspects of buying an engagement ring would have to be figuring out what you can either afford, or what you are comfortable spending. As a rough guide some say 2 months salary, but this can fluctuate wildly depending on personal circumstances. Look in a few jewelry stores and check out the various engagement rings you can buy in your price range. You will quickly see that the size and quality of a stone, along with the metal of the band and setting, are a couple of the factors that can make or break your budget.

Compromises may have to be made. Your girlfriend may well prefer a larger diamond engagement ring of a lesser cut or clarity. Alternatively she may prefer a perfect stone of a smaller size.

Learn About Engagement Rings.

There is not much point wandering into a jewelry store and asking for an engagement ring. You will be astonished at all the choices that need to be made from price, metals, stones, and setting styles, to mention just a few. Sit down at the computer and have a little look before you hit a store. See what you like and what you think would suit your girlfriend's style and taste.

Find Her Ring Size.

It is more romantic if you are planning on surprising her, with presenting her with an engagement ring that will fit on her finger. Raid her jewelry box for a ring that she wears on her right hand finger for an estimate of her finger size. Never mind if it doesn't fit perfectly, you can generally re-size.

Absolutely No Re-Gifting.

OK. You may have your ex-wife's or ex-fiancee's engagement ring burning a hole in your closet. However, if you know what is good for you and you plan on living happily ever after, you will under no circumstances re-use that old ring. For those cynics out there, remember the fuss about Mariah Carey's engagement ring when someone suggested that Nick Cannon had re-used his ex-fiancee's ring?

Please note that it is acceptable to use your Granny's engagement ring diamonds, or any other family heirloom, just not jewelry from your own previous romances.

Buying the perfect engagement ring will take some time and research. Engagement rings are designed to last a lifetime. A few months of sleuthing and research is worth an eternity of happy wear.
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